(March 24, 2014 -Timonium MD) – Local television journalist, turned news anchor for MSNBC, Thomas Roberts will deliver the keynote address on April 5th at Towson University. Roberts, anchor of Way Too Early and contributor to Morning Joe, is also an NBC correspondent and substitute anchor on Today. Thomas grew up in Towson, MD and is a graduate of Calvert Hall College High School and McDaniel College.

Banister Media’s event – JumpStart, will bring students together with journalists, editors and media leaders to accelerate a career in broadcasting and digital media. Banister Media has assembled nationally-recognized broadcast and digital media professionals to lead sessions in multi-media journalism, digital reporting, news photography and editing. JumpStart will be held at Towson University on Saturday and Sunday April 5th and 6th from 8am to 4pm.

“We are so fortunate to have a nationally-acclaimed broadcast professional to share career advice and experiences with students of broadcasting and digital journalism,” stated Marianne Banister, founder of Banister Media. “Thomas has risen through the ranks from local television to CNN and now with MSNBC, so we’re thrilled to have him share his career path with students in his home town.”

Banister Media inspires business owners, entrepreneurs and emerging professionals to communicate with greater confidence and clarity. Through training and coaching – live interviews, press conferences and crisis communications are handled with skill and authority. Banister Media is led by award-winning broadcast journalist Marianne Banister and a team of trusted resources who provide media coaching, presentation training and crisis management.